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The Z Compound: An Awesome Little Food Court on Malingap Street

I love Maginhawa. For me, it’s still one of the funnest places to go restaurant hunting in Manila.

Ren and I hadn’t been there in a while so we drove up and down the street cooing over all the new restaurants. Unlike shopping malls or upscale commercial areas, the restaurants here are never cookie-cutter. Many in fact, are hole-in-the-walls – cramped but unique, with tons of character. They’re just so much more fun and interesting.

Today, we wound up at this cute little compound along Malingap Street, just a few meters down the road from Pino. From the banner hanging outside, it looks like the place just opened in November of last year and currently houses five small restaurants in an open air space, some no larger than a kiosk. One thing I liked about it is that it perfectly encapsulates the diversity and unpretentiousness that’s come to define Maginhawa. Want some oyster mushroom fries with your Lebanese shawarma and Hungarian sausage? No problem! Give some to your dog too, because they’re welcome here.

I looked around to see if this awesome little compound had a name but I couldn’t find one, so I’ll call it the “Caring” Compound for now. A little cheesy yes, but for those who didn’t know (like me until I asked Ren), malingap apparently means “caring”. Here’s what you can find there.

UPDATE: 7 July 2014

WOW, how quickly things change! The last time we were here was a scant five months ago, but the place looks almost entirely different. From just five eateries in early February, the number of restaurants has tripled to fifteen! How cool is that?!

Updating this post, Here’s what you can find at the new and improved Z Compound. Yes, I just found out on this trip that the compound does in fact, have a name. 😉

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Meshwe

We’ve only been to this compound three times but it’s obvious that Meshwe is the most popular place here. They specialize in authentic Lebanese shawarma and Middle Eastern cuisine. I even spotted falafel on their menu which we’ll definitely try on our next visit.

Everything we’ve eaten here thus far has been good, but the chicken shawarma sandwich was exceptional. It’s their most popular item so be sure to get one. It’s really delicious.UPDATE: Meshwe has since remodeled its kiosk. I’ll post pictures after our next visit.

Burger Hub

Apart from burgers, Burger Hub offers all kinds of sausages and fruit shakes as well.UPDATE: Burger Hub has since remodeled its kiosk. I’ll post pictures after our next visit.

Juicy J’s Angus Burger – PHP 150

I really enjoyed this angus Juicy J. Nicely seared, it’s cooked over coals so you get that delicious, smokey, charcoal-grilled flavor. It came with a slathering of caramelized onions and cheese sauce, and a side of french fries.

Cuckooh Puffs

For dessert, we had these pastries from Cuckooh Puffs. The one in the background is a delicious, moist red velvet cupcake, while the cream-puff-looking pastry in front is the cuckooh puff. It’s like a chocolate cream puff but with very little cream inside. I love choux pastry so I really enjoyed it.

If I remember correctly, both the cupcake and cuckooh puff went for PHP 45 apiece.

Blueberry cheesecake and red velvet cupcake. I paid PHP 150 for both.

Bochic

Specialty: Pulled pork (turbo-broiled pork crisps), pulutan

Bochic specializes in Pinoy-style pulled pork sandwiches.

L: Bochic is housed in a converted container van.R: Bochic Popcorn – PHP 50 – Popcorn cooked in pork fat! Ren loved this. As you can imagine, it was awesome with beer. 😉

Hi Camille, going northbound on Edsa, make a right on Kamias Rd. After you pass Kalayaan, watch out for a Jollibee on the left side. Make a left at that corner immediately after passing Jollibee. You’ll see the Datu Sikatuna statue. After passing the statue, make the first right onto V. Luna Extension. This will veer left and become Maginhawa. Make a left on Malingap. After a couple of blocks or so you’ll see Z Compound on your right. Hope that helps. 🙂

Hi!!!!! Z place is one of my fave! its like im there every single day,,but ofcourse not with sundays!:) I just couldnt help but to go back everytime lalo na with the chicken tenders of meshwe and the raspberry bowl of burger hub 🙂 i love the ambiance and everythingggggggggggggggggggggg in that place. <3